This is directed at those of you who pull in the Rocky Mtns, specifically on steep grades with lots of switchbacks.

Today I pulled my 10,000GVW bumper pull, partially laden to the new job in the canyon.
ambient temps were in the low 60's.
My temp gauge went right up to 220- 230* after about a mile of (edit-12% )grade @ 15-20 mph, rpm's 1800-2200.
If the ambient had been another 10* I would have had to pull over.

I'll be checking my stat when time permits but in the meantime I have these questions:

1)This better not be normal?

2)what temps do you see at these speeds/grade?

3)I've never seen any problems with my t stat- is not opening enough a common failure?

Thanks

Big Jimmy

(pulled like a moose BTW)

 

What was the engine temp guage saying while trans temps were that high?

Edit: Ooops... I thought you were saying the transmission temp guage went to 200+. If the engine temp guage went up, I'd suspect the thermostat for not opening fully, but I'd also ask if you heard the fan clutch kick in and the fan running. A non-op fan clutch will certainly cause high temps at low speed.


Regards, DBF

 

How were the EGT's and trans temp? What was the altitude?

 

Your trans temp was probably smokin. We dont have any grades that long and steep around here, but hauling in the summer(creeping around in the fields/going slow on country roads etc), my temp never gets over 190*; but my truck seems to run a little cool anyway.

Eric

 

I've seen those engine temps pulling 12k up Raton pass and over Wolf Creek in the summer but we were running 50-60MPH most of the way up . Just lift off the floor a bit and they come back down.

3.54's and 285's are going to rob a lot of power and make your temps climb.

 

I was @ 6000' and climbing. Letting off brought the temps down but they were slow to do so. (couple of minutes)
Sounds like the t-stat. I won't be here for a couple days, so until then thanks.

Jimmy

 

1. Thermostat

2. Fan clutch

3. Torque converter was unlocked and dumping heat into the radiator cooler. Supplemental cooling (in addition to the factory oil-to-air cooler) plumbed into the hot line before the radiator cooler can help. I did this on my 1996 V-10/47RE dually.

Rusty

 

While this is a good post, the Dodges are notorius for the thermostat doing this. Put a new 180 degree in it and try it.

 

I am just goin to throw this out there do you have a winter front on still? if not then were you in overdrive or was it locked out. possibly could drop down to 3 if its a tranny that has D 3 2 1.

 

Winter front is off. I drove the route today and saw the sign that says its a 12% grade, not 6%.

Anyway, thanks to all. Soon as I can I'll change the stat and see where that gets me.

Jimmy

 

can you here your clutch fan kicking in???? mine never has, i have been meaning to get one for the past 100k.

 

Heh Heh...

I don't think I have ever heard it. I have been considering taking out the stock fan and putting in an electric unit anyway. Pulling some grades around here often is slow and steep. Can't go any faster for air flow or you'll end up off the edge on a curve and you DO NOT want any of that...

Jimmy

 

Way back when we had big trucks that went slow up hills we would down shift and let the engine run at high rpm and low power to pull as much are as possible with the fan, an electric fan won't out pull the stock fan unless it's hooched. PK

 

Speeking of temps and clutch fans, Is it normal that I can be setting outside my truck and hear when the fan kicks on?
How does the clutch fan know when to kick on?
Thanks!
Wheelo

 

Generally with the air on. When the temperature sensor registers the heat, it comes on.